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Oxypora lacera

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Oxypora lacera, the ragged chalice coral or porous lettuce coral, is a species of large polyp stony corals in the family Lobophylliidae. It is a colonial coral which can be submassive, encrusting or laminar. It is native to the western Indo-Pacific.[1]

Description

Colonies can adopt various forms, encrusting, plate-like or lumpy, sometimes varying in form in different parts of the same colony. On thin laminar plates, which may be a few millimetres thick, the corallites are delicate and about 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter. Near the plate attachment the coral is thicker and the corallites are coarser. Septa-costae can be seen between the corallites, and the costae bear spines. The underside of the laminate plates are spiny and there are perforations in the plates. The colour of this coral is greyish-brown or grey, sometimes with a greenish tinge; the oral disc may have a complementary colour of red or green. Colonies seldom grow to a diameter of more than 30 cm (10 in). This coral can be confused with Echinophyllia aspera underwater.[2]

Distribution and habitat

O. lacera is native to the Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to Japan, the South China Sea, and eastern, northern and western Australia. It grows on protected reef slopes down to about 30 m (100 ft), and to greater depths on outer reef slopes than on inner slopes. It is a common species, but is not conspicuous because of its drab colouring.[1]

Biology

This coral is a hermaphrodite. Gametes are shed into the body cavity and pass through the mouths of the polyps into the sea. After fertilisation, the planula larvae are planktonic for a time. When sufficiently developed, they start developing tentacles, a pharynx and septa before settling on the sea bed and completing metamorphosis.[3]

Status

Like other corals, the chief threats faced by this coral are from destruction of its reef habitat and the effects of global warming. However, it has a very wide range and is a common species, often found in deep water below 25 m (80 ft), so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Sheppard, A.; Fenner, D.; Edwards, A.; Abrar, M.; Ochavillo, D. (2008). "Oxypora lacera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T133442A3747583. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T133442A3747583.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Hoeksema, Bert (2014). "Oxypora lacera (Verrill, 1864)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Oxypora lacera: ragged chalice coral". SeaLifeBase. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
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Oxypora lacera: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Oxypora lacera, the ragged chalice coral or porous lettuce coral, is a species of large polyp stony corals in the family Lobophylliidae. It is a colonial coral which can be submassive, encrusting or laminar. It is native to the western Indo-Pacific.

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Biology

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zooxanthellate

Reference

van der Land, J. (ed). (2008). UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms (URMO).

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Jacob van der Land [email]

Description

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Colonies are thin, only about 1 - 4 mm thick except near the central attachment point, and rarely exceed 40 cm across. Centres are about 5 mm diameter and often superficial. septo-costae are spiny and sharp, and spines are prominent on the underside of the leaves, sometimes over 5 mm long. Colonies are grey or pale brown, and are easily broken. Also, perforations in the leaves are generally very clear on thin specimens. This is a mid- to deep water species, preferring sheltered sites without strong water movement, but without much sedimentation either. It is not usually conspicuous, partly because of its neutral grey or pale brown colour, but is not uncommon below 25 m deep. (Sheppard, 1998 ) Colonies may be submassive, encrusting or laminar. Corallites may be fine and delicate on thin laminae to grossly thickened on submassive parts of the same colony. Costae are always toothed. Colour: usually pale brown or greenish, either uniform or with green or red oral discs. Abundance: common, especially in shallow protected reef slopes. (Veron, 1986 ) Difficult to differentiate from Echinophyllia aspera under water, but generally more foliaceous in growth form. Septo-costae can be detected between the polyps, radiating to the perimeter of the colony. Colour: light brown, often with red or green oral discs. Habitat: sheltered reefs. (Richmond, 1997)

Reference

Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13 Page 118 (Includes a picture).

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